pella lutheran church ambassador€¦ · pella lutheran church ambassador going home this month...
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With Christ, We Welcome, Nurture, Equip and Serve. July 2015
Pella Lutheran Church
Ambassador
Going Home This month (July 13-August 2), I get to vacation at home in Illinois. I am looking for-
ward to it, and I’m even counting the days. I was last home at Thanksgiving. I will get to see
my wife, eldest son, hopefully my youngest son and family (especially the 2 grandkids!),
my extended family and my longtime friends. It seems to be the case that I only get home
about every six months. Also, set in motion is a semi-annual task: the “honey-do list.”
Becoming an intentional interim pastor, my wife and I both knew that rarely would
I be able to work out of our home. We both accepted that reality of my profession. We often
somewhat-less-than-jokingly refer to my contracts as “deployments,” with the main differ-
ence that I only have to be careful of “friendly fire” (my youngest son served in the Army
and knows the real difference).
So we also have accepted this routine when I do get home: my first and foremost task
of the “honey-do list” is to clean the basement. Though to myself I wonder how I’ve clut-
tered and messed it up while I’ve been gone (I’m smart enough to never say this out loud),
I have become the “throw it away” expert. I’ve never finished this task. And just like any
homeowner, there are always more tasks to be added. I will work on them until my wife
says “this hasn’t been very much fun for you.” Then I can play and visit and refocus, maybe
play some golf (my wife’s favorite hobby). My time home grounds me to value family and
home and relationships.
All too soon it seems it is time to return. Summer trips are easier to plan (except for
road construction) than are the trips of winter weather and its vagaries. I have actually come
to like the road trips. I have my books on CD and music to keep my mind occupied across
the many miles. I don’t try to rush, but most of the time I arrive early. My time home also
enables me to focus my time and ministry here. TGBG – Interim Pastor Paul
Pella Call Committee Report Bishop Jessica Crist brought us a name and we are excited. We met as a committee
with the Bishop after worship last Sunday, June 21.
We had a call committee meeting Tuesday, June 23, to proceed with the process.
Please pray for us! Grace and Peace. Greg Miller
It is safe to say that
VBS at Pella was a success!
Each day of VBS (held June
15-19), volunteers led be-
tween 80-90 children in a
program titled “Everest:
Conquering Challenges with
God’s Mighty Power.” The
church was transformed into
a winter wonderland that in-
cluded a snow-capped moun-
tain, a ski slope, an igloo
(made with 281 milk jugs),
a snow cave, two climbing
walls and several campsites.
It was awesome, and we
thank Vanessa Pooch for her
decorating skills! Each day
was filled with Bible stories,
music, science experiments/
gizmos, games, snacks, glob-
al awareness, and service.
The Children learned
God has the power to
PROVIDE, COMFORT,
HEAL, FORGIVE and
LOVE US FOREVER.
Not only did we part-
ner with Lonsdale United
Methodist again this year, but
we had several volunteers
from other
congregations helping.
And without the volunteers,
VBS would not have been so
successful. Thank you to eve-
ryone who helped with plan-
ning, decorating the week
prior, leading that week, tear-
ing down, donating, etc.
Thank you to the following:
Anonymous – All those who
gave without our knowledge,
especially the person who
provided food for the tear-
down crew on Friday night.
D’Lon & Jenna Anderson
Suttyn Barnhart
Jordan Baxter
Lauren Beenken
Nanette Bergerson
Samantha Berglund
Melissa Buckley
Hailey Christensen
Torey Dahl
Erin Erickson
Morgan & Rhonda Folstad
Claire & Donny Frank
Samantha Gangstad
Kyra Hagberg
Kimberly Hill
Joanna Horsburgh
Alexa & Susan Iversen
Liliana Johnson
Randy Jones
Becky Kallevig
Jason Lamb
Grady & Kristin Larson
Zachary Leader
Leila Massar
Katrina & Synneva Meldahl
Kathryn Murphy
Jane Olson
Vanessa Pooch
Faith Rohner
Diane Savage
Chloe Schroeder
Janet Spracklin
Ashton & Emily Swenson
Emma Torgerson
Hanna Uran
Devon Watkins
Special thanks also go
out to the staff. Chole, Judy,
and Pastor Paul went above
and beyond to help in any
way they could. Also thanks
to Kenny and Danielle for
keeping the church neat and
tidy.
VBS Service Project
As part of Everest
VBS, the kids participated in
an Operation Kid-to-Kid™
international mission project.
The participants raised more
than $600 to purchase color-
ful, kid-friendly, Thai-
language New Testaments to
children in the Buddhist
country of Thailand. Every
$4 collected equals 1 Bible,
which means we raised
enough for 150 Bibles.
Great job everyone!
Page 2 Ambassador
Thank you
Volunteers!
July 2015 Page 3
Acolytes
If you cannot acolyte on your assigned day,
please find a replacement and let the office
know. Thank you!
July 5
Taylor Stewart
July 12
Alexia Metz
Jenna Baxter
July 19
Samantha Berglund
Hailey Christensen
July 26
Kade Anderson
Carter Johnson
9th Graders to Affirm Faith
This Fall The 9th graders in the Confirma-
tion program will be completing this phase of
their faith journeys with their Affirmations of
Faith this Fall. Watch the newsletter and web site
for more information.
Program Ideas We are hoping to establish some
adult educational opportunities here
at Pella. If you have any ideas
please contact Janelle.
Nursery Open The nursery will be open during worship this
summer. If you are willing to help watch
children, please contact Bev Jones at 488-2813.
Eller Visit Here Reverend Justin, Kari and Everette
visited the congregation and Sidney the
weekend of June 12-14.
At worship, Justin preached and
Kari led the children's message, at which
time she presented the congregation with
an awayu. The awayu is a rectangular
carrying cloth used in traditional commu-
nities in the Andes region of Argentina,
Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and
Peru. The awayu is most associated with
Aymara and Quechua culture, but is not
exclusive to them, and people use it to
carry small children or all kinds of items
on their backs. The awayus typically fea-
ture colorful stripes intercalated with
figures with symbolic values.
Sunday after worship, the Ellers
shared a presentation and conversation
with members. After their visit to the
United States, the Ellers will return to
their mission work in Argentina.
Now that July is here and summer is in full
swing, it’s time to get a look at your family’s schedule for the Richland County Fair and Rodeo
August 5 - 8. Block out a section of time where you and your family can join Pella members
at The Pella Pantry for some wonderful community time and visit with people from all over
Eastern Montana. Whether you deliver orders to hungry people, grill burgers, or dish up pie
and ice cream along with cold drinks and coffee, your time is appreciated by all fair-goers and
Pella members. Sign up sheets are at the information desk at the church and staff is willing to
help if you need some direction. Also, if you have some extra rhubarb we would love it to
make pies. See you at the fair!
Pella Library Have some time to relax this summer? Whether it’s a
rainy day or just time with a glass of lemonade, the Pella
Library has books for the whole family. Come look and check
out something that interests you! By: Yvonne Gebhardt
Montana Synod Assembly 2015 “Serve the World, Especially the Poor and those in Need” The Synod Assembly was
held in Great Falls at the Heritage Inn, June 5-7. Traffic was light on the drive over through
the spectacularly green countryside of Jordan and Lewistown, with an occasional deer or
antelope watching me drive by. The theme for the assembly this year was centered around our
work as a church in Global Mission. The music, worship and speakers reflected that theme.
My favorite presentation was from Justin Eller who went into detail about our mission efforts
in Bolivia and the philosophy of mission, “Walking With” our Sisters and Brothers in Christ.
Partnership, Inclusivity, Vulnerability, Empowerment, Sustainability are key words he used to
describe our mission efforts. He said it is like “Dancing with an Elephant” compared to the old
mission model of being in control of everything and dictating how things are going to work.
Music was also a high point for me, which was led by a very talented group of musicians from
around the U.S. They taught us worship music from around the world, usually in a foreign
language, all through the assembly. The surprising thing to me was that those songs were then
incorporated into the final worship service on Sunday. My whole experience was enjoyable
and inspirational, and I recommend it to everyone for next year. By: Greg Miller
Page 4 Ambassador
Pella Pantry News
July 2015 Page 5
Property recommended and was
approved to purchase a storage shed (w/steel
roof and sides) for $7600. Site prep, if neces-
sary, and location will be up to the Property
Comm. Property also recommended and was
approved that we pay our “fair share” ($5100)
for the common fence with the Kings. Bear
Paw will pay for the damage they caused. Community Meals was approved to
donate $1000 each to Food Bank and 3rd Mile.
A smaller donation was approved for the
Detroit trip, if needed.
Survey Says … The Christian Education Committee
wants to know what ALL of our members
think about ALL of our educational programs
at Pella. We want responses from everyone in
the congregation so the committee has a foun-
dation from which to build programs for
everyone. Watch your email and mailbox for
more details.
Save the Date -- Sept. 2 Mark your calendars for September 2 --
the first Wednesday night of activities for
2015/2016. Watch for more details at worship,
in the Ambassador, on the web site, and on
Facebook.
Last Month at Council We affirmed the Executive Commit-
tee actions of giving the budgeted monies to
the synod offerings ($500 Bolivian Water
project and $300 synod offering that will go
to the local food bank). John reported that we still have
money in the bank! Checking balance was
$95,980.77 and the general fund balance
was $11,765.48. Call Committee had no activity to
report. Frustrating not having names to
interview. Personnel reported that they had
conducted an extensive and positive annual
review of Pastor Paul. Pastor Paul reported
that he had successfully completed Chole’s
90 day review (it was very positive) and
that the next one will be her six month and
the ending of her probationary period. Background checks will eventually
be required of all who work with our kids.
Church Mutual will pay the enrollment fee
and we will pay for each individual ($25).
We will start with the current staff and
Youth Leaders, then expand. Pastor Paul
will bring next month a policy for review.
Our operating premise is that we want to do
all we can to help ensure the safety of our
leaders and – more importantly – our kids.
JULY 2015 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT
1
2
3Office
Closed
4th
Observance
4
Independ-
ence Day!
5
9:00 am Worship
Rosaaen Baptism
10:00 am Coffee
Fellowship
6
7
7:00 p.m.
Council Meeting
8
9
10
6:00 p.m.
Wedding
rehearsal
11
4:30 p.m.
Goff/
Sorteberg
Wedding
12
9:00 am Worship
10:00 am Coffee
Fellowship
13
Pastor
14
Paul
15
Gone
ELCA Youth
16
On Vacation
7:00 p.m.
Faith Circle
Gathering
17
This Week
6:00 p
Wedding
rehearsal
In
18
4:30 p
Dynneson/
Sir Wedding
Detroit
19
Pastor
9:00 am Worship
10:00 am Coffee
Fellowship
ELCA Youth
Gathering
20
Paul
Ambassa-
dor News
Articles
Due
21
Gone
22
On Vacation
23
This Week
7:00 p.m.
CE Committee
Meeting
24
……………….
Mail out
Newsletter
25
26
Pastor
9:00 am Worship
10:00 am Coffee
Fellowship
27
Paul
28
Gone
10:00 a.m.
Extended Care
Worship
29
On Vacation
30
This Week
31
Through
Aug. 2nd
Page 7 July 2015
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B
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In Memory or Honor Memorial From Designated Fund
Margaret Free Wendi Chamberlain Memorial
Margaret Free & Park Tibbits Enid & Russ Huotari 3rd Mile
Robert “RC” Fasig Gene & Judy Sondeno 3rd Mile
Bob Averett Madelyn Averett Memorial
Bob Averett Lance & Shelly Averett Memorial
Clara Selle Palmer & Doris Norby Memorial
Clara Selle Lois Dump 3rd Mile
Clara Selle Ruth Iversen Radio Fund
Clara Selle Dale & Charlotte Iversen 3rd Mile
Clara Selle Gene & Judy Sondeno 3rd Mile
B
S
F
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N
418 West Main Street Sidney, MT 59270
Phone: (406)433-3350
Fax: (406) 433-3352
Email: [email protected] Facebook: Pella Lutheran Church
PELLA LUTHERAN
CHURCH
INTERIM PASTOR: Pastor Paul Balaban
[email protected] 309-267-1653 ADMIN. ASSISTANT:
Chole Butler [email protected] PARISH ASSISTANT:
Judy Sondeno
[email protected] YOUTH AND FAMILY MINISTRY ASSISTANT:
Janelle Lamb [email protected] CUSTODIAN/S:
Kenny Vannatta Danielle Topping
MISSION PARTNER Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church at
Rocky Boy COMPANION SYNOD Cape Orange Diocese
Evangelical Lutheran Church
of South Africa
COMPANION CONGREGATOIN Upington Parish Northern Cape, South Africa
THE PELLA
AMBASSADOR IS
PUBLISHED MONTHLY
BY PELLA LUTHERAN
CHURCH
Pella Lutheran Church
418 West Main Street
Sidney, Montana 59270
VBS - Lots of activities and it was great!!